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I'll Have What He's Having
When it comes to love, substitute teacher Farzan Alavi is a disaster. Newly heartbroken—again—he’s drowning his sorrows at Kansas City’s newest wine bar. Only instead of being crowded between strangers, he’s escorted to a VIP table for one. There, the hot sommelier does more than treat him to the meal of his life. The way he flirts with Farzan ignites instant sparks.
There’s just one David Curtis thinks Farzan is Kansas City’s most influential food critic. The truth only comes out after the two spend an unforgettably hot night together. Good news—both think the mix-up is hilarious. Bad news—David is studying to become a master sommelier and has no interest in a relationship.
Neither expects their paths to cross again . . . until Farzan inherits his family’s bistro. The two agree to a friends-sans-benefits David will share his industry knowledge, and Farzan will help David study. Only business turns to pleasure when neither can ignore the attraction still sizzling between them. But with David set on moving cross-country after his test, and Farzan committed to his family’s restaurant, how can their relationship last past the expiration date?
There’s just one David Curtis thinks Farzan is Kansas City’s most influential food critic. The truth only comes out after the two spend an unforgettably hot night together. Good news—both think the mix-up is hilarious. Bad news—David is studying to become a master sommelier and has no interest in a relationship.
Neither expects their paths to cross again . . . until Farzan inherits his family’s bistro. The two agree to a friends-sans-benefits David will share his industry knowledge, and Farzan will help David study. Only business turns to pleasure when neither can ignore the attraction still sizzling between them. But with David set on moving cross-country after his test, and Farzan committed to his family’s restaurant, how can their relationship last past the expiration date?
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2024
136 people are currently reading
9978 people want to read
About the author
Adib Khorram
12 books1,857 followersADIB KHORRAM is the author of DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY, which earned the William C. Morris Debut Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature, and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor, as well as a multitude of other honors and accolades. His followup, DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER, received three starred reviews, was an Indie Bestseller, and received a Stonewall Honor. His debut picture book, SEVEN SPECIAL SOMETHINGS: A NOWRUZ STORY was released in 2021. When he isn’t writing, you can find him learning to do a Lutz jump, practicing his handstands, or steeping a cup of oolong. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where people don’t usually talk about themselves in the third person. You can find him on Twitter (@adibkhorram), Instagram (@adibkhorram), or on the web at adibkhorram.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
August 21, 2024
This worked for me, so when it comes out next Tuesday please go get a copy from your library or bookstore of choice.
It was really refreshing to see people who aren't twentysomethings finding love. With Farzan in particular it was nice to see a main character who didn't have everything together, in some ways was just trying to get through life, but wasn't saddled with a collection of traits built to appeal to the quirky people among us. He wasn't a cartoonish stereotype of a person, he was just a person. David, had his shit together in a way that is maybe more typical of these kinds of romances, but it wasn't a flaw of his that he had to overcome in order to be happy?
After getting stood up Farzan decides to go out, a case of mistaken identity leads to him getting better service than he might've otherwise, which leads to a one night stand. There are a couple of plot contrivances to get these two back in the same room, but the fun kind you want to read about in a romance.
Some readers have commented on the amount of time these two bang it out... but honestly that worked for me. It worked for the plot for me. It built character and their particular dynamic in a way I think that sex scenes can.
Can I also say how refreshing it was to see characters having dynamic lives outside of their love interests again? Knowing that Farzan had friendships that he cared about, and a kickball team he was part of. Even the couple of scenes he got to have one on with with his siblings. David and Farzan's families also played a decent role in the way their lives and how they made certain decisions. David reconnected with old friends and had interesting relationships with his coworkers. These were fully realized people and that has been missing from the romances I have been picking up where characters seem to simply exist in a void.
And it was set in Kansas City, bonus points for that alone.
So Khorram was back knocking it out of the park as far as I'm concerned and I hope they continue to pump out romances on this level.
It was really refreshing to see people who aren't twentysomethings finding love. With Farzan in particular it was nice to see a main character who didn't have everything together, in some ways was just trying to get through life, but wasn't saddled with a collection of traits built to appeal to the quirky people among us. He wasn't a cartoonish stereotype of a person, he was just a person. David, had his shit together in a way that is maybe more typical of these kinds of romances, but it wasn't a flaw of his that he had to overcome in order to be happy?
After getting stood up Farzan decides to go out, a case of mistaken identity leads to him getting better service than he might've otherwise, which leads to a one night stand. There are a couple of plot contrivances to get these two back in the same room, but the fun kind you want to read about in a romance.
Some readers have commented on the amount of time these two bang it out... but honestly that worked for me. It worked for the plot for me. It built character and their particular dynamic in a way I think that sex scenes can.
Can I also say how refreshing it was to see characters having dynamic lives outside of their love interests again? Knowing that Farzan had friendships that he cared about, and a kickball team he was part of. Even the couple of scenes he got to have one on with with his siblings. David and Farzan's families also played a decent role in the way their lives and how they made certain decisions. David reconnected with old friends and had interesting relationships with his coworkers. These were fully realized people and that has been missing from the romances I have been picking up where characters seem to simply exist in a void.
And it was set in Kansas City, bonus points for that alone.
So Khorram was back knocking it out of the park as far as I'm concerned and I hope they continue to pump out romances on this level.
May 18, 2024
2024 is the year of YA authors releasing adult books. And I’m not sure if I’m always a fan.
Don’t get me wrong. I really love some of these books; Kacen Callender’s Stars in Your Eyes is even one of my favorites. But I’m also wondering why all those authors want to write adult books and if the magical attraction I found in their YA stories also works in an adult version. I’m not convinced, to be honest.
Adib Khorram’s YA books are fantastic, especially the Darius series. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a third installment. I was over the moon when he announced releasing an adult book because I wanted more of his writing. And now?
You know, this book is nice, but not special, as I felt with his Darius series. It feels like mainstream MM; the only different angle is the Iranian heritage (which I liked) and the older characters (I liked that too; we need more of them!). I enjoyed reading this story, but I wanted more. More mental health rep, more character depth, more emotional connection. And less sex.
So, if you love lighthearted, well-written, spicy MM, this might be your book. But I was just a little disappointed.
Thank you, Forever and NetGalley, for this ARC!
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Don’t get me wrong. I really love some of these books; Kacen Callender’s Stars in Your Eyes is even one of my favorites. But I’m also wondering why all those authors want to write adult books and if the magical attraction I found in their YA stories also works in an adult version. I’m not convinced, to be honest.
Adib Khorram’s YA books are fantastic, especially the Darius series. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a third installment. I was over the moon when he announced releasing an adult book because I wanted more of his writing. And now?
You know, this book is nice, but not special, as I felt with his Darius series. It feels like mainstream MM; the only different angle is the Iranian heritage (which I liked) and the older characters (I liked that too; we need more of them!). I enjoyed reading this story, but I wanted more. More mental health rep, more character depth, more emotional connection. And less sex.
So, if you love lighthearted, well-written, spicy MM, this might be your book. But I was just a little disappointed.
Thank you, Forever and NetGalley, for this ARC!
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August 26, 2024
I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram
Contemporary diverse M-M romance. Alternating POV.
At thirty-seven, Farzan Alavi thinks his love life is a disaster after his most recent heartbreak. There are times he thinks his whole life is messed up and going nowhere. He’s not particularly happy being a substitute teacher but what are his options? When his two besties aren’t available for a night out, Farzan goes alone to the new restaurant and gets a table for one. He’s surprised by the flirting by the hot sommelier but he’s free and single and goes with it.
David Curtis is told that a famous and influential food critic is at the restaurant and he offers up a supreme bottle of wine. The two flirt through dinner and more. It’s only the next morning, both David and Farzan realize the error but they’ve had a great night and laugh it off.
When Farzan inherits his family’s bistro, he knows just the person to call to help improve the wine list and make the restaurant a destination. But their fun can only be short term. David is moving to Los Angeles. And even though they both start falling in love, their future doesn’t appear to be together.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Shezi Sardar and Brent Billings who do a wonderful job with the emotional up and downs of the story. The passion, worry and heartbreak is all easy to hear and makes you feel like you are their friends and in the middle to the angst and love. I did increase the speed to 1.5 as that’s my most comfortable for reading along with a book at the same time and not be three pages ahead of the audio narration. The accents and voices really make these two men come alive. I’d highly recommend the audiobook version for this book.
Heartbreaking and sad as Farzan tries over and over to make the right choices. He’s confident in his cooking and manages the restaurant without a second thought, but doesn’t realize his impact. He knows he wants David to stay, but why would he? David has excellent prospects and a future in LA.
Don’t despair. It is a romance, but it’s going to take work and belief to come together.
I received this from book from NetGalley and the publisher Hachette Audio.
Contemporary diverse M-M romance. Alternating POV.
At thirty-seven, Farzan Alavi thinks his love life is a disaster after his most recent heartbreak. There are times he thinks his whole life is messed up and going nowhere. He’s not particularly happy being a substitute teacher but what are his options? When his two besties aren’t available for a night out, Farzan goes alone to the new restaurant and gets a table for one. He’s surprised by the flirting by the hot sommelier but he’s free and single and goes with it.
David Curtis is told that a famous and influential food critic is at the restaurant and he offers up a supreme bottle of wine. The two flirt through dinner and more. It’s only the next morning, both David and Farzan realize the error but they’ve had a great night and laugh it off.
When Farzan inherits his family’s bistro, he knows just the person to call to help improve the wine list and make the restaurant a destination. But their fun can only be short term. David is moving to Los Angeles. And even though they both start falling in love, their future doesn’t appear to be together.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Shezi Sardar and Brent Billings who do a wonderful job with the emotional up and downs of the story. The passion, worry and heartbreak is all easy to hear and makes you feel like you are their friends and in the middle to the angst and love. I did increase the speed to 1.5 as that’s my most comfortable for reading along with a book at the same time and not be three pages ahead of the audio narration. The accents and voices really make these two men come alive. I’d highly recommend the audiobook version for this book.
Heartbreaking and sad as Farzan tries over and over to make the right choices. He’s confident in his cooking and manages the restaurant without a second thought, but doesn’t realize his impact. He knows he wants David to stay, but why would he? David has excellent prospects and a future in LA.
Don’t despair. It is a romance, but it’s going to take work and belief to come together.
I received this from book from NetGalley and the publisher Hachette Audio.
August 21, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
I really liked this! Given some of the reviews I was worried their relationship was going to be all sex and no substance. But while it is certainly a sex-forward novel, I did not find that to be the case.
I'll Have What He's Having is a gay romance written by a gay author, which I love to see more of in the genre. After a mistaken identity leads to a one night stand, an unexpected connection develops between these characters. Farzan is the screw-up of the family. His Iranian parents run a restaurant and his sister is married with a successful career while he's a substitute teacher who likes to cook. David is a wine expert studying for his master sommelier exam, and of course they meet at the restaurant he works at.
I really loved the mix of personal growth for the characters and the development of the romance between them. They have this amazing friendship, and get very spicy in the bedroom too. It's a really solid romance featuring characters in their late 30's, still trying to figure out life. I'm a fan! The audio narration is really well done. I feel like each of the performers nailed the voice and personality of the character they portrayed. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
I really liked this! Given some of the reviews I was worried their relationship was going to be all sex and no substance. But while it is certainly a sex-forward novel, I did not find that to be the case.
I'll Have What He's Having is a gay romance written by a gay author, which I love to see more of in the genre. After a mistaken identity leads to a one night stand, an unexpected connection develops between these characters. Farzan is the screw-up of the family. His Iranian parents run a restaurant and his sister is married with a successful career while he's a substitute teacher who likes to cook. David is a wine expert studying for his master sommelier exam, and of course they meet at the restaurant he works at.
I really loved the mix of personal growth for the characters and the development of the romance between them. They have this amazing friendship, and get very spicy in the bedroom too. It's a really solid romance featuring characters in their late 30's, still trying to figure out life. I'm a fan! The audio narration is really well done. I feel like each of the performers nailed the voice and personality of the character they portrayed. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
August 23, 2024
E-ARC generously provided by Grand Central in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!
4.5 stars. Bubbly as fizzy champagne and as familiar and heartwarming as a home cooked meal, I’ll Have What He’s Having is a delectable and surprisingly spicy adult romance from an author I continue to love.
4.5 stars. Bubbly as fizzy champagne and as familiar and heartwarming as a home cooked meal, I’ll Have What He’s Having is a delectable and surprisingly spicy adult romance from an author I continue to love.
January 7, 2025
2.75 stars
I read this for a book discussion and the more we discussed this book, the lower my rating became. I'll Have What He's Having is perfectly mid. There's really nothing awful about it, and also nothing special. This is the romance between Farzan and David who at first have a no strings attached connection that turns into something more.
I do think this author having gone from YA writing to adult didn't handle his characters well in that they seemed like people in their early to mid 20s and not their mid to late 30s. I also felt there were so many sex scenes that did nothing to enhance the story or their relationship and so much could have been cut out. There's no reason this book had to be as long as it was. I really liked Farzan's relationship with his family, I wish we had more of that. And I would have enjoyed seeing David and Farzan work together, I thought they were a really great team.
Also, I am just so over people taking digs at Los Angeles in their books. It's lazy and overdone, let's please leave that behind in 2025.
I read this for a book discussion and the more we discussed this book, the lower my rating became. I'll Have What He's Having is perfectly mid. There's really nothing awful about it, and also nothing special. This is the romance between Farzan and David who at first have a no strings attached connection that turns into something more.
I do think this author having gone from YA writing to adult didn't handle his characters well in that they seemed like people in their early to mid 20s and not their mid to late 30s. I also felt there were so many sex scenes that did nothing to enhance the story or their relationship and so much could have been cut out. There's no reason this book had to be as long as it was. I really liked Farzan's relationship with his family, I wish we had more of that. And I would have enjoyed seeing David and Farzan work together, I thought they were a really great team.
Also, I am just so over people taking digs at Los Angeles in their books. It's lazy and overdone, let's please leave that behind in 2025.
November 7, 2024
I did have what they were having and it was.... *chef's kiss*
I really enjoyed reading this and watching these two amazing characters come out of their shell and finally acknowledge their feelings.
My only complain here is that third-act breakup *shaking my tiny head*
Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the ARC!
I really enjoyed reading this and watching these two amazing characters come out of their shell and finally acknowledge their feelings.
My only complain here is that third-act breakup *shaking my tiny head*
Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the ARC!
Read
September 9, 2024This was compulsively readable, quite spicy as the kids say, and I just really enjoyed getting to know this Iranian-American corner of Kansas City. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
September 6, 2024
3.5
this was sweet!! adib khorram’s books are always very charming and this was no different!!
really enjoyed how each character had full lives outside of the main romance, with their own specific conflicts and support systems. also really enjoyed how surprisingly smutty this was!
that being said!! idk it kind of didn’t do much for me? it has a very traditional romcom story and story beats and it didn’t really have anything that wow-ed me but i still had a good time.
i hope adib writes more adult!!
this was sweet!! adib khorram’s books are always very charming and this was no different!!
really enjoyed how each character had full lives outside of the main romance, with their own specific conflicts and support systems. also really enjoyed how surprisingly smutty this was!
that being said!! idk it kind of didn’t do much for me? it has a very traditional romcom story and story beats and it didn’t really have anything that wow-ed me but i still had a good time.
i hope adib writes more adult!!
May 12, 2024
When you get a new Adib Khorram book, you know you have to read it asap. This is his first adult book, and as an avid romance reader, I was so excited to dive in! And I had an absolute blast, this was such a good time.
You can't read this without getting hungry, because all the food and wine descriptions made my mouth water. They added so much atmosphere to the story.
But I mainly loved the chemistry between both of the main characters, especially since we got to spend so much time with them! I love romance books where you actually see the couple together for a good amount of time, so this felt like such a treat.
You can't read this without getting hungry, because all the food and wine descriptions made my mouth water. They added so much atmosphere to the story.
But I mainly loved the chemistry between both of the main characters, especially since we got to spend so much time with them! I love romance books where you actually see the couple together for a good amount of time, so this felt like such a treat.
October 10, 2024
As a big fan of Adib Khorram’s YA novels, I’ve been highly anticipating his first adult romance. This had all of his signatures: well-developed characters, a strong sense of place, and a good dose of Iranian food and culture. (I was mad the food didn’t magically appear before me.) Farzan and David meet when Farzan comes into the restaurant where David is a sommelier and David mistakenly believes Farzan is a local food critic. This is a romance reasons premise and highly unlikely: a food critic wouldn’t give their real name at a restaurant and the name Farzan gives the hostess is common anyway. But whatever. They were so cute as they bonded over food and wine.
They eventually figure out David’s mistake and also figure out they’re looking for different things. David isn’t interested in a relationship; he’s fully focused on his final sommelier exam and plans on moving away once he’s passed. He doesn’t want any distractions. Farzan, meanwhile, wants a boyfriend. He’s ready for love. Initially, they decide they’ll just be friends, which quickly turns into friends with benefits which then turns into actual boyfriends. There’s still the question of what will happen after David’s test but they’re really good together. David has someone who makes sure he takes breaks and Farzan has someone who supports him while he takes over his parents’ restaurant.
In many ways, this is a very realistic romance. David and Farzan’s concerns and insecurities are relatable. We get to see their day-to-day lives in the Kansas City restaurant industry. Khorram doesn’t shy away from depicting the reality of sex (e.g. prepping, passing gas, using a sex towel or a pillow). There’s great consent for the first penetrative sex scene.
There’s also a stellar cast of secondary characters, from the staff at Aspire, where David works, to Farzan’s best friends Ramin and Arya and their respective families. Both men have to learn they can’t do everything on their own, nor should they. The emotional arcs could be a bit on the nose at times, likely a holdover from the YA world, but they also worked for me. Farzan and David were a great match and I loved watching them figure it all out.
Fingers crossed we get books for Ramin and Arya…
Characters: Farzan is a 37 year old gay Iranian American substitute teacher and chef. David is a 37 year old gay Black wine director and sommelier. This is set in Kansas City, MO.
Content notes: past minor heart attack (Farzan’s mom), past parental divorce, past racism, microaggression, past STD, STD stigma, past death of secondary character’s parents, pregnant secondary character, parental pressure for grandchildren, on page sex, light breeding kink, FaceTime sex, sex toy, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, anti-fat bias, hyperbolic language around addiction
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Forever Romance in exchange for a review.
They eventually figure out David’s mistake and also figure out they’re looking for different things. David isn’t interested in a relationship; he’s fully focused on his final sommelier exam and plans on moving away once he’s passed. He doesn’t want any distractions. Farzan, meanwhile, wants a boyfriend. He’s ready for love. Initially, they decide they’ll just be friends, which quickly turns into friends with benefits which then turns into actual boyfriends. There’s still the question of what will happen after David’s test but they’re really good together. David has someone who makes sure he takes breaks and Farzan has someone who supports him while he takes over his parents’ restaurant.
In many ways, this is a very realistic romance. David and Farzan’s concerns and insecurities are relatable. We get to see their day-to-day lives in the Kansas City restaurant industry. Khorram doesn’t shy away from depicting the reality of sex (e.g. prepping, passing gas, using a sex towel or a pillow). There’s great consent for the first penetrative sex scene.
There’s also a stellar cast of secondary characters, from the staff at Aspire, where David works, to Farzan’s best friends Ramin and Arya and their respective families. Both men have to learn they can’t do everything on their own, nor should they. The emotional arcs could be a bit on the nose at times, likely a holdover from the YA world, but they also worked for me. Farzan and David were a great match and I loved watching them figure it all out.
Fingers crossed we get books for Ramin and Arya…
Characters: Farzan is a 37 year old gay Iranian American substitute teacher and chef. David is a 37 year old gay Black wine director and sommelier. This is set in Kansas City, MO.
Content notes: past minor heart attack (Farzan’s mom), past parental divorce, past racism, microaggression, past STD, STD stigma, past death of secondary character’s parents, pregnant secondary character, parental pressure for grandchildren, on page sex, light breeding kink, FaceTime sex, sex toy, masturbation, alcohol, inebriation, hangover, anti-fat bias, hyperbolic language around addiction
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Forever Romance in exchange for a review.
June 11, 2024
3.5 stars.
A beautiful queer story following two men in their late 30s, navigating life’s complexities and discovering love along the way.
I had a rocky time with this one. There were times I was bored and wanted to DNF but ultimately the beautiful community that surrounded our two leads motivated me to keep reading. Their queer friends and their lovely families added so much depth and warmth to the story. Farzan’s family, despite their flaws, were incredibly endearing. Seeing how they recreated a little piece of Iran through their restaurant and food in a foreign land felt truly cozy and healing to my Iranian heart and soul. I also loved David’s family and friends and how they pushed him because they genuinely wanted the best for him.
The relationship between Farzan and David is quite steamy, starting as a friends-with-benefits situation and evolving into a committed relationship. However, as someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy FWB plots, the romance didn’t resonate deeply with me, partly because the development of their feelings for each other wasn’t fully explored. Additionally, the characters, especially Farzan, often felt more like people in their 20s. I expected more emotional maturity from individuals pushing 40, particularly in their communication about their relationship, which ultimately led to the third-act breakup. While it is wonderful to read a romance between two people in their late 30s, some character choices and dialogues would have made more sense if the characters had been in their mid to late 20s.
There is no doubt that Adib Khorram is a talented writer. His descriptions of the food were so vivid that they made me hungry! I’m looking forward to reading his YA novels and hopefully more adult romances if he decides to write them.
Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.
A beautiful queer story following two men in their late 30s, navigating life’s complexities and discovering love along the way.
I had a rocky time with this one. There were times I was bored and wanted to DNF but ultimately the beautiful community that surrounded our two leads motivated me to keep reading. Their queer friends and their lovely families added so much depth and warmth to the story. Farzan’s family, despite their flaws, were incredibly endearing. Seeing how they recreated a little piece of Iran through their restaurant and food in a foreign land felt truly cozy and healing to my Iranian heart and soul. I also loved David’s family and friends and how they pushed him because they genuinely wanted the best for him.
The relationship between Farzan and David is quite steamy, starting as a friends-with-benefits situation and evolving into a committed relationship. However, as someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy FWB plots, the romance didn’t resonate deeply with me, partly because the development of their feelings for each other wasn’t fully explored. Additionally, the characters, especially Farzan, often felt more like people in their 20s. I expected more emotional maturity from individuals pushing 40, particularly in their communication about their relationship, which ultimately led to the third-act breakup. While it is wonderful to read a romance between two people in their late 30s, some character choices and dialogues would have made more sense if the characters had been in their mid to late 20s.
There is no doubt that Adib Khorram is a talented writer. His descriptions of the food were so vivid that they made me hungry! I’m looking forward to reading his YA novels and hopefully more adult romances if he decides to write them.
Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.
May 23, 2024
From first sip to last drop, I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING is a richly characterized, sensual romance that celebrates gay men that, like the finest wines, only get better with age. Farzan and David’s sparkling connection will quench even the thirstiest of readers! I can't wait to read all the spinoff books for the core friend group.
September 17, 2025
Received from Edelweiss, thanks!
I enjoyed this one, though not as much as I was hoping to, if I'm being honest. I've really enjoyed Adib Khorram's YA books (I've read all but one of them), so was really excited for this one. And it was okay.
It's interesting, the idea of spice in adult romance. Some friends and I have been discussing this lately, mostly to do with books being specifically marketed as "spicy". One particular author has been leaning into this hard lately and to be completely honest, it's incredibly offputting. If the sex in the book makes sense, absolutely include it. I am totally here for spicy romance, but not when the spice is the whole selling package. And I've seen I'll Have What He's Having being marketed as "spicy". And, it is... But I honestly felt like at least half of the sex scenes could have either been fade to black or closed door or left out completely. I have no idea about Khorram's writing process, but the book felt like he'd written it one way and then was told that it needed to be more spicy, so he added more spice. I could be completely off base here, but for me, a lot of the sex scenes just didn't fit the overall story.
And overall, I did enjoy the story! I liked the two MCs, I liked ALL the food and wine. I may currently have out a Persian cookbook from the library that is specifically mentioned in this book, so that I can try out some of the mouthwatering sounding dishes that are described. There was a lot of fun in the book, which I always appreciate. I also liked how the relationship evolved between Farzan and David, and how the third act breakup was resolved; I thought that was really well done in a thoughtful and realistic manner.
One other thing that I didn't love was how down on himself Farzan is throughout the whole book. He constantly refers to himself as a fuck up and it just got to be a lot after a while. I think Khorram was trying to illustrate how Farzan's family showed their love for him by being critical, and it didn't really work? Or, there was too much criticism and not enough apologizing/recognizing the harm they had done to offset the amount of criticizing they did.
Again, I did enjoy the book, but there were definitely aspects that did not work for me.
I enjoyed this one, though not as much as I was hoping to, if I'm being honest. I've really enjoyed Adib Khorram's YA books (I've read all but one of them), so was really excited for this one. And it was okay.
It's interesting, the idea of spice in adult romance. Some friends and I have been discussing this lately, mostly to do with books being specifically marketed as "spicy". One particular author has been leaning into this hard lately and to be completely honest, it's incredibly offputting. If the sex in the book makes sense, absolutely include it. I am totally here for spicy romance, but not when the spice is the whole selling package. And I've seen I'll Have What He's Having being marketed as "spicy". And, it is... But I honestly felt like at least half of the sex scenes could have either been fade to black or closed door or left out completely. I have no idea about Khorram's writing process, but the book felt like he'd written it one way and then was told that it needed to be more spicy, so he added more spice. I could be completely off base here, but for me, a lot of the sex scenes just didn't fit the overall story.
And overall, I did enjoy the story! I liked the two MCs, I liked ALL the food and wine. I may currently have out a Persian cookbook from the library that is specifically mentioned in this book, so that I can try out some of the mouthwatering sounding dishes that are described. There was a lot of fun in the book, which I always appreciate. I also liked how the relationship evolved between Farzan and David, and how the third act breakup was resolved; I thought that was really well done in a thoughtful and realistic manner.
One other thing that I didn't love was how down on himself Farzan is throughout the whole book. He constantly refers to himself as a fuck up and it just got to be a lot after a while. I think Khorram was trying to illustrate how Farzan's family showed their love for him by being critical, and it didn't really work? Or, there was too much criticism and not enough apologizing/recognizing the harm they had done to offset the amount of criticizing they did.
Again, I did enjoy the book, but there were definitely aspects that did not work for me.
January 28, 2025
With delicious descriptions of food, the generous descriptions of bodies near 40, and casual but careful descriptions of race, gender, and size, the prose mirrors the sense of community Farzan's Shiraz Bistro offers the Kansas City Iranian community. (Full disclosure, in college I dated an Iranian from KC but didn't know that it had been a center for immigration--it wasn't a serious relationship--so it was especially fun to read through those memories).
Overall, I liked the book. I did think Farzan was a little too hard on himself, and David (and his friends) were too easy on David. I know that relationships don't make miracles and that not every person or every book ends up at therapy, but Farzan's persistence in seeing himself as a fuck-up never really shifted and isn't likely to. That was frustrating. And David really never got better at taking care of his friends or seeing them as people with their own lives rather than just extensions of himself. Even so, I think these two are grown up enough to make it long term. Whether that's forever or not isn't important--they're also grown up enough to sometimes good relationships end and that you can love someone without thinking they're perfect (Ramin's relationship with Todd was a good reminder of how we never know what happens inside other people's love and sex lives.)
I also didn't love the instalove of seeing someone across the bar and deciding they were the most beautiful man in the world. Whilst I believe David and Farzan were good looking and that they found each other incredibly attractive, there was something about how Khorram signalled the beginning of the relationship as this instant perfect attraction and chemistry that just... felt weird to me. I hadn't read any of his other work because YA, and I wonder if this is a holdover.
All that said (it's so much easy to focus on what I didn't like), this was a really strong read, a 3.5 rounded up to 4. I've had Kiss & Tell in my queue forever, and I'm moving it up.
Overall, I liked the book. I did think Farzan was a little too hard on himself, and David (and his friends) were too easy on David. I know that relationships don't make miracles and that not every person or every book ends up at therapy, but Farzan's persistence in seeing himself as a fuck-up never really shifted and isn't likely to. That was frustrating. And David really never got better at taking care of his friends or seeing them as people with their own lives rather than just extensions of himself. Even so, I think these two are grown up enough to make it long term. Whether that's forever or not isn't important--they're also grown up enough to sometimes good relationships end and that you can love someone without thinking they're perfect (Ramin's relationship with Todd was a good reminder of how we never know what happens inside other people's love and sex lives.)
I also didn't love the instalove of seeing someone across the bar and deciding they were the most beautiful man in the world. Whilst I believe David and Farzan were good looking and that they found each other incredibly attractive, there was something about how Khorram signalled the beginning of the relationship as this instant perfect attraction and chemistry that just... felt weird to me. I hadn't read any of his other work because YA, and I wonder if this is a holdover.
All that said (it's so much easy to focus on what I didn't like), this was a really strong read, a 3.5 rounded up to 4. I've had Kiss & Tell in my queue forever, and I'm moving it up.
August 23, 2024
I had a really good time reading this gay romance. I loved that the characters were in their late 30s and so it provided a different perspective to the usual romance. These main characters were more mature, settled and making reasonable decisions.....even at times, communicating effectively! I loved the well rounded side characters and the realistic depiction of how hard it can be to maintain your long distance friendships when you have a busy life to lead.
Where it fell down for me slightly was that there was a bit too much sex. It's all very well and good, but realistically, after the first couple of times, I didn't necessarily need to know all the details. Also, what I found slightly odd was that there were no issues from anyone in either characters life about them being gay. I suppose this isn't a negative as such, but personally I tend to enjoy romances more when there's some sort of a consequence to the fact that the main characters are queer, whereas here, one of them could've been substituted for a woman, and the story would've have been substantially different.
But that's just me, and it's a small thing, because overall it was a really good time. I listened to the audiobook and both narrators did a great job. They both had very distinct voices, which I appreciated as I immediately knew which pov we were in.
Can't wait to see what this author writes next!
Where it fell down for me slightly was that there was a bit too much sex. It's all very well and good, but realistically, after the first couple of times, I didn't necessarily need to know all the details. Also, what I found slightly odd was that there were no issues from anyone in either characters life about them being gay. I suppose this isn't a negative as such, but personally I tend to enjoy romances more when there's some sort of a consequence to the fact that the main characters are queer, whereas here, one of them could've been substituted for a woman, and the story would've have been substantially different.
But that's just me, and it's a small thing, because overall it was a really good time. I listened to the audiobook and both narrators did a great job. They both had very distinct voices, which I appreciated as I immediately knew which pov we were in.
Can't wait to see what this author writes next!
September 23, 2024
If you want to have a full sensory EXPERIENCE while reading a book, I HIGHLY recommend I'll Have What He's Having. There's so much delicious wine and food throughout this book, I was legit getting cravings. I added this book to my TBR because I was told it had a soup scene (AND IT IS AMAZING), but I'm so glad I read it because it's just such an incredible read. Low angst, a sweet contemporary romance with older MMCs trying to figure out their lives and their futures.
In the book, food and wine play an incredibly important role in the story. David is studying for his master sommelier exam - he's hoping to have a successful second career doing something he's passionate about and make enough money to help out his parents. Throughout the book he's always tasting and describing wine, and y'all, there is NO way I could do the stuff he does! Farzan is an incredible cook and takes over his parents' Iranian bistro in an attempt to finally be successful and make his family proud. Food is clearly a love language for him in addition to being a part of his heritage, and I loved all of the descriptions of the dishes he and his family make.
David and Farzan start out understanding that their relationship is a one night stand, but they enjoy each other's company so much, it gradually becomes more despite some reservations. This book was much spicier than I expected! I'll Have What He's Having is incredibly s3x and body positive, and it was nice reading about older MMCs who know who they are and just want someone that they can be comfortable with.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, and I REALLY loved it. The narrators are incredibly, and perfectly captured David and Farzan as well as all of their friends and family. Such a great read, highly recommend (though, have some wine on hand to drink while you read!).
In the book, food and wine play an incredibly important role in the story. David is studying for his master sommelier exam - he's hoping to have a successful second career doing something he's passionate about and make enough money to help out his parents. Throughout the book he's always tasting and describing wine, and y'all, there is NO way I could do the stuff he does! Farzan is an incredible cook and takes over his parents' Iranian bistro in an attempt to finally be successful and make his family proud. Food is clearly a love language for him in addition to being a part of his heritage, and I loved all of the descriptions of the dishes he and his family make.
David and Farzan start out understanding that their relationship is a one night stand, but they enjoy each other's company so much, it gradually becomes more despite some reservations. This book was much spicier than I expected! I'll Have What He's Having is incredibly s3x and body positive, and it was nice reading about older MMCs who know who they are and just want someone that they can be comfortable with.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, and I REALLY loved it. The narrators are incredibly, and perfectly captured David and Farzan as well as all of their friends and family. Such a great read, highly recommend (though, have some wine on hand to drink while you read!).
August 29, 2024
This was so soft. Both MCs felt real and relatable and the way their relationship unfolded was so great. It was the kind of book where I'd catch myself smiling dopily while reading. Low angst, high heat, and with a wonderful cast of characters. The side characters also felt very real and like people who added a lot to the overall feel of the story and who I'd like to get to know better. I really hope some of them get their own books in the future!
*ARC provided by NetGalley
*ARC provided by NetGalley
February 27, 2025
Hmmmm, so there was a suspicious amount of plot centered around gas. Is this what it’s like to be a gay man? Is this an accurate depiction of the food/flatulence experience of MM couples?
Overall a cute story, I suppose.
Overall a cute story, I suppose.
August 26, 2024
I’ve really enjoyed the YA books I’ve read from Adib Khorram, so I was excited to learn that he was publishing an adult romance! I’ll Have What He’s Having is a fun queer romance about characters in their late 30s finding love and figuring out what they want from the rest of their lives. The characters, Farzan and David, are both well fleshed out and brought different, unique points of view to the story.
The book starts out with a mistaken identity that leads to the characters hooking up. They very quickly realize what happened and are able to laugh it off. I was personally glad that happened right at the beginning, because I can sometimes get uncomfortable if so much of a romance involves the characters not being on the same page about their identities. After they figure out what happened they end up becoming friends with benefits. David needs someone to help him study for his master sommelier exam and Farzan needs David’s advice on how to run his family’s restaurant. So they decide to help each other out, in more ways than one. But what will happen when real feelings get involved? Especially since David’s plan has always been to move away after passing his exam.
Adib Khorram did such an amazing job at creating atmosphere in this story. There’s a lot of lush descriptions of food, wine, the different restaurants, and the chemistry between David and Farzan. Sometimes when YA writers transfer over into adult, their books and characters still end up feeling very YA. But I don’t think that happened here, I feel like the characters being in their late 30s and having more mature issues helped with that. All of the conflict between the characters felt earned by what had come before in the story, it never felt completely out of left field.
I listened to this on audio and I absolutely flew through it. The book is told in a dual POV and both narrators did an excellent job at bringing the story to life, conveying the chemistry between the leads, and fleshing out the side characters.
I’d definitely recommend this for people who love queer romances full of steam, heart, family, food, and personal growth.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts out with a mistaken identity that leads to the characters hooking up. They very quickly realize what happened and are able to laugh it off. I was personally glad that happened right at the beginning, because I can sometimes get uncomfortable if so much of a romance involves the characters not being on the same page about their identities. After they figure out what happened they end up becoming friends with benefits. David needs someone to help him study for his master sommelier exam and Farzan needs David’s advice on how to run his family’s restaurant. So they decide to help each other out, in more ways than one. But what will happen when real feelings get involved? Especially since David’s plan has always been to move away after passing his exam.
Adib Khorram did such an amazing job at creating atmosphere in this story. There’s a lot of lush descriptions of food, wine, the different restaurants, and the chemistry between David and Farzan. Sometimes when YA writers transfer over into adult, their books and characters still end up feeling very YA. But I don’t think that happened here, I feel like the characters being in their late 30s and having more mature issues helped with that. All of the conflict between the characters felt earned by what had come before in the story, it never felt completely out of left field.
I listened to this on audio and I absolutely flew through it. The book is told in a dual POV and both narrators did an excellent job at bringing the story to life, conveying the chemistry between the leads, and fleshing out the side characters.
I’d definitely recommend this for people who love queer romances full of steam, heart, family, food, and personal growth.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2024
3.5 stars
This started off very strong. I was pretty much instantly charmed by the main characters (and the secondary characters.) There were so many things I really enjoyed about this book, especially the sense of place and being immersed in the restaurant and family settings and Persian culture and food. I also appreciated the care the author puts into being inclusive and thoughtful about how various people are represented and described.
I really wanted to love this book and I did enjoy it, but I found the pacing was off and there was a lot of repetition and I think those words could have been better served by better showing vs a lot of telling. Also the sex scenes seemed . . . educational? rather than emotional, which is a shame because I wanted to believe in the connection between the two main characters and that could have helped it level up and taken everything a bit deeper.
Again, I did enjoy this book and recommend it but I think some strong editing could have taken it up a notch. I'll also still go and check out the author's YA work, which I've heard such great things about.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Forever in exchange for an honest review.
This started off very strong. I was pretty much instantly charmed by the main characters (and the secondary characters.) There were so many things I really enjoyed about this book, especially the sense of place and being immersed in the restaurant and family settings and Persian culture and food. I also appreciated the care the author puts into being inclusive and thoughtful about how various people are represented and described.
I really wanted to love this book and I did enjoy it, but I found the pacing was off and there was a lot of repetition and I think those words could have been better served by better showing vs a lot of telling. Also the sex scenes seemed . . . educational? rather than emotional, which is a shame because I wanted to believe in the connection between the two main characters and that could have helped it level up and taken everything a bit deeper.
Again, I did enjoy this book and recommend it but I think some strong editing could have taken it up a notch. I'll also still go and check out the author's YA work, which I've heard such great things about.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and Forever in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2024
4.5 stars!
Adib Khorram's "I'll Have What He's Having" is a wonderful burst of queer joy. It is full to the brim with conversations about identity, finding love at 40, finding yourself, food, family, and wine. I enjoyed every minute of this book. You're going to want a snack while you read this book because it is teeming with descriptions of delicious eats and full-bodied wines. It sure made me hungry! I *loved* Farzan and David both as individuals and as a couple. Their chemistry is off the charts! One meet-cute night of mistaken identity pulls them together, and once they start with one another, they find it difficult to stop. Farzan has a penchant for failing. He is about to take over and expand his family's restaurant but is worried he will fail at that, too. He is close to his family, who means the world to him. David is singularly focused on becoming a master sommelier. He has been studying for months, working his way up the ladder with only this as his goal. As a result, his friendships and relationships have slipped through the cracks. When they find each other, they quickly realize their connection might be more than one night of fun. Farzan and David have such terrific rapport with one another. I appreciated their honest conversations (apart from the first initial mix-up). The spice is swoon-worthy, flirty, and extremely intimate. I am happy to read books about characters who are almost in their 40s and are still failing at life. I identify with that deeply (lol). I also loved that this book takes place in Kansas City. It was interesting to see a queer romance taking place in the middle of the United States, something I don't feel like we see represented enough in the genre. I can't wait to read Adib Khorram's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Adib Khorram's "I'll Have What He's Having" is a wonderful burst of queer joy. It is full to the brim with conversations about identity, finding love at 40, finding yourself, food, family, and wine. I enjoyed every minute of this book. You're going to want a snack while you read this book because it is teeming with descriptions of delicious eats and full-bodied wines. It sure made me hungry! I *loved* Farzan and David both as individuals and as a couple. Their chemistry is off the charts! One meet-cute night of mistaken identity pulls them together, and once they start with one another, they find it difficult to stop. Farzan has a penchant for failing. He is about to take over and expand his family's restaurant but is worried he will fail at that, too. He is close to his family, who means the world to him. David is singularly focused on becoming a master sommelier. He has been studying for months, working his way up the ladder with only this as his goal. As a result, his friendships and relationships have slipped through the cracks. When they find each other, they quickly realize their connection might be more than one night of fun. Farzan and David have such terrific rapport with one another. I appreciated their honest conversations (apart from the first initial mix-up). The spice is swoon-worthy, flirty, and extremely intimate. I am happy to read books about characters who are almost in their 40s and are still failing at life. I identify with that deeply (lol). I also loved that this book takes place in Kansas City. It was interesting to see a queer romance taking place in the middle of the United States, something I don't feel like we see represented enough in the genre. I can't wait to read Adib Khorram's next book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Adib Khorram, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
June 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing me an uncorrected e-galley in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Set in Kansas City (which, as a non-American, I have to continually remind myself is not in Kansas!), I'll Have What He's Having is a dual narrative romance featuring Farzan Alavi and David Curtis, two mid-to-late-30-somethings staring down the cliff of their forties with unfulfilled dreams and a reluctance to let others in emotionally. For Farzan, it's because he has significant self-worth and self-esteem issues, event though his family and friends continually reinforce that he's the most supportive person they know. For David, it's because he's a workaholic and doesn't want friends or dating to get in the way of becoming a master sommelier and making a name for himself in California or New York. One mistaken identity later, and both of them are in a situationship that definitely has boundaries... or maybe has boundaries... oh crap there's no boundaries and they're in love. But David is leaving after he gets his master somm, so this can only end in heartbreak.
Part of providing a review is identifying the audience a work is intended for, and comparing that to whether the work successfully writes for that audience. Unfortunately, I felt the young adult background from Khorram coming through in many places of this adult romance. Perhaps this wouldn't have felt as strongly dissonant if the characters were young 20-somethings, like a lot of romances are. However, for nearing 40, there are some weird interactions or dialogue choices. One of the biggest reasons for my overall rating actually comes in part because of this feeling. At the end, .
A much smaller critique is that, to get into the first part of the book, you have to suspend disbelief for a bit. The opening conflict, as described even in the synopsis, is this mistaken identity - Farzan uses the name Frank Allen (his "White" name for when folks can't understand "Farzan Alavi") and David believes this is the Frank Allen, critic extraordinaire. Except... if you're a director at a restaurant, you're going to know what all the influential names look like. Often critics will avoid giving their names because they want to leave an honest review, which is near impossible once the staff know you're a critic (and therefore will give you "the best" rather than "the norm"). And it's clear David does know what Frank Allen looks like because, .
Now, for the positive, and perhaps seemingly at odds with some of the above paragraph, the first thing I want to highlight is that these characters are old (relatively speaking, for romance novels). This is something I wish there was more of in the genre. Also, if you're looking for a good and truly diverse OwnVoices book, this is excellent. Especially the Alavis, who are intimately connected to the food of Iran, but also some cultural practices that are as natural as breathing are written in such a smooth way that a reader can experience them without them seeming out of place. It was quite enjoyable! The awkward meeting of the parents on both sides was nice, as it made the scenes feel a little more real than many romances tend to feel. And the reality of the intimate scenes was also nice, though maybe the two of them need to take some Pepto-Bismol or Tums if they're going to burp or fart on each other nearly every single time.
Set in Kansas City (which, as a non-American, I have to continually remind myself is not in Kansas!), I'll Have What He's Having is a dual narrative romance featuring Farzan Alavi and David Curtis, two mid-to-late-30-somethings staring down the cliff of their forties with unfulfilled dreams and a reluctance to let others in emotionally. For Farzan, it's because he has significant self-worth and self-esteem issues, event though his family and friends continually reinforce that he's the most supportive person they know. For David, it's because he's a workaholic and doesn't want friends or dating to get in the way of becoming a master sommelier and making a name for himself in California or New York. One mistaken identity later, and both of them are in a situationship that definitely has boundaries... or maybe has boundaries... oh crap there's no boundaries and they're in love. But David is leaving after he gets his master somm, so this can only end in heartbreak.
Part of providing a review is identifying the audience a work is intended for, and comparing that to whether the work successfully writes for that audience. Unfortunately, I felt the young adult background from Khorram coming through in many places of this adult romance. Perhaps this wouldn't have felt as strongly dissonant if the characters were young 20-somethings, like a lot of romances are. However, for nearing 40, there are some weird interactions or dialogue choices. One of the biggest reasons for my overall rating actually comes in part because of this feeling. At the end, .
A much smaller critique is that, to get into the first part of the book, you have to suspend disbelief for a bit. The opening conflict, as described even in the synopsis, is this mistaken identity - Farzan uses the name Frank Allen (his "White" name for when folks can't understand "Farzan Alavi") and David believes this is the Frank Allen, critic extraordinaire. Except... if you're a director at a restaurant, you're going to know what all the influential names look like. Often critics will avoid giving their names because they want to leave an honest review, which is near impossible once the staff know you're a critic (and therefore will give you "the best" rather than "the norm"). And it's clear David does know what Frank Allen looks like because, .
Now, for the positive, and perhaps seemingly at odds with some of the above paragraph, the first thing I want to highlight is that these characters are old (relatively speaking, for romance novels). This is something I wish there was more of in the genre. Also, if you're looking for a good and truly diverse OwnVoices book, this is excellent. Especially the Alavis, who are intimately connected to the food of Iran, but also some cultural practices that are as natural as breathing are written in such a smooth way that a reader can experience them without them seeming out of place. It was quite enjoyable! The awkward meeting of the parents on both sides was nice, as it made the scenes feel a little more real than many romances tend to feel. And the reality of the intimate scenes was also nice, though maybe the two of them need to take some Pepto-Bismol or Tums if they're going to burp or fart on each other nearly every single time.
August 30, 2024
3.5 stars
A very enjoyable story with plenty of steam, heart, delicious food. Certainly don't read this on an empty stomach!
The voices of the narrators really matched the characters, even if I had some trouble telling the two characters apart. But it's probably just a me thing. All in all, it's definitely worth a shot!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of the audiobook to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
A very enjoyable story with plenty of steam, heart, delicious food. Certainly don't read this on an empty stomach!
The voices of the narrators really matched the characters, even if I had some trouble telling the two characters apart. But it's probably just a me thing. All in all, it's definitely worth a shot!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of the audiobook to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 19, 2024
I’m glad the term tonic masculinity has been making the rounds, because this feels like tonic masculinity of the highest order. David Curtis, sommelier, mistakes Farzan Alavi for a food critic, and what blooms in the wake of this mixup is a tender, sexy, heartfelt romance between two grown adults who have to deal with the obstacles that a grown-ass relationship entails. Highlights include both of their wonderful friend groups, and coworkers, and families, jokes and mishaps during sex (!), the love letter to Kansas City (flaws included), and the rich Iranian culture, community, and cuisine of the Alavi family restaurant (my stomach growls).
Beautifully done, every bit of it—especially the miscommunication, which is the opposite of contrived and sparks growth and better communication. Favorite romance I’ve read this month, and on track to be one of my best-of for the year.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beautifully done, every bit of it—especially the miscommunication, which is the opposite of contrived and sparks growth and better communication. Favorite romance I’ve read this month, and on track to be one of my best-of for the year.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 11, 2024
3.5 stars
after loving Adib Khorram’s young adult novels, i was so excited to hear he had written an adult queer romance! this was very sweet. the romance itself was pretty straightforward, and had the overall slice-of-life feeling that i think many of Khorram’s books share (it’s one of my favorite things about his writing!). it was refreshing to read about older characters who more or less have their lives together, but are still learning new things and discovering new parts of themselves. both main characters felt very relatable and human. i also loved the supporting cast of characters in this one! both Farzan and David’s families (both actual and chosen) were so fun to read about. i loved that both main characters had successful careers in the service/hospitality industry— that’s something i always love reading in romance.
overall, this one didn’t totally reinvent the genre or do anything that blew me away, but it’s a believable romance between two extremely likeable characters who are fun to read about, and really, what more can you ask for?
after loving Adib Khorram’s young adult novels, i was so excited to hear he had written an adult queer romance! this was very sweet. the romance itself was pretty straightforward, and had the overall slice-of-life feeling that i think many of Khorram’s books share (it’s one of my favorite things about his writing!). it was refreshing to read about older characters who more or less have their lives together, but are still learning new things and discovering new parts of themselves. both main characters felt very relatable and human. i also loved the supporting cast of characters in this one! both Farzan and David’s families (both actual and chosen) were so fun to read about. i loved that both main characters had successful careers in the service/hospitality industry— that’s something i always love reading in romance.
overall, this one didn’t totally reinvent the genre or do anything that blew me away, but it’s a believable romance between two extremely likeable characters who are fun to read about, and really, what more can you ask for?
paused
May 30, 2025paused @ ch 9, 17%
December 11, 2024
both MCs would've benefited greatly from therapy
this was cute tho
this was cute tho
August 26, 2024
This is giving The Pairing a run for its money for the horniest book of the year.
December 5, 2024
2.5/5
Here I am, back with another queer book hot off the New section of my local library's shelves. Now, my mind didn't register the author beyond some faint awareness of YA books, so I'm not following the chainlinks from Darius the Great Is Not Okay and co. that I imagine many readers are doing. Given how this read ended up falling out, though, it may have been better for me to pay heed to this trajectory, as many of the issues I have with it are very YA-with-a-splash-of-NA-coating-over-it in nature: diversity list characterizations, therapy talk dialogue, whiplash acknowledgements of the real world that hope to both drop yet defuse bigotry bombs if encompassed by less than a sentence, and erotic attraction/fulfillment that may have had dicks and toys and negotiated kinks aplenty but never really flowed, if you know what I mean. Still, I really truly do enjoy talk of food and booze and other appreciations ritual yet sensual that orbit around every lit stove and balanced spoon, and it's not often I read something that integrates without going all dry and dustily status quo on me. So, kudos to Khorram for delving as often into the delicious intricacies of the kitchen as he did into the (seemingly) more luscious convolutions of the bedroom. It's not the sexiest queer story I've read that involves cooking (that continues to be The Book of Salt), but it's solid enough that I hope it inspires more like it (mayhaps even some that veer far more towards the 'adult' rather than the 'young' for my liking).
Here I am, back with another queer book hot off the New section of my local library's shelves. Now, my mind didn't register the author beyond some faint awareness of YA books, so I'm not following the chainlinks from Darius the Great Is Not Okay and co. that I imagine many readers are doing. Given how this read ended up falling out, though, it may have been better for me to pay heed to this trajectory, as many of the issues I have with it are very YA-with-a-splash-of-NA-coating-over-it in nature: diversity list characterizations, therapy talk dialogue, whiplash acknowledgements of the real world that hope to both drop yet defuse bigotry bombs if encompassed by less than a sentence, and erotic attraction/fulfillment that may have had dicks and toys and negotiated kinks aplenty but never really flowed, if you know what I mean. Still, I really truly do enjoy talk of food and booze and other appreciations ritual yet sensual that orbit around every lit stove and balanced spoon, and it's not often I read something that integrates without going all dry and dustily status quo on me. So, kudos to Khorram for delving as often into the delicious intricacies of the kitchen as he did into the (seemingly) more luscious convolutions of the bedroom. It's not the sexiest queer story I've read that involves cooking (that continues to be The Book of Salt), but it's solid enough that I hope it inspires more like it (mayhaps even some that veer far more towards the 'adult' rather than the 'young' for my liking).
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